Our History

Located in the eastern part of Marlboro County is the charming town of Clio. Settled by Joe Ivey during the 19th century, it was first known as Ivey's Cross Roads.  The story goes that Mr. Ivey left his home in one of the Carolinas and went west in search of better land. When he reached the Chattahoochee River, it seemed to him that he had reached the outer limits of civilization - a beautiful stream flowing amid a wild and howling wilderness, with wild and savage Indians upon either bank. He became disgusted and turned his horse's head toward the rising sun and returned to the spot where Clio now stands.  Here he pitched his tent and purchased a home in the virgin forest, with no desire that a town should ever arise there. Tradition has it that stores, shops, houses and dwellings began to develop nearby, creating a town, which later became Clio, named for the Muse of History. The cross roads became the center of the little community where the militia met for drill and "muster day" became a day of trade.  The first merchant to establish himself there was the father of U.S. Senator Joseph Hawley of Connecticut.  For a short time, the community was named for him, Hawleysville, later becoming Clio. Farm land around Clio is rich, grows excellent cotton, and has been so for generations, thus creating an important nucleus for that part of Marlboro County. Many elegant homes and Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian churches soon followed the rapidly developing retail commercial development of Clio and many of these remain today. It was said that early in the 20th century, Clio had more millionaires per capita than any town in South Carolina.  Today, Clio is home to industries such as Peoples Gin Company, Arris Manufacturing, and Pacific MDF Corp.